Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

On Ash Wednesday in 2021, a poignant reminder of our mortality was delivered to the author of this article: "Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return." These words, spoken by the author's brother, Father Andrew Schwenka, as he placed the cross of ashes on her forehead, took on a profound meaning. The author not only heard those words, but felt them deeply in her heart and soul.

The significance of Ash Wednesday became even more poignant for the author and her family as they laid her husband, Matthew, to rest on that same day. Matthew had been diagnosed with Stage 4 terminal cancer in 2019, a shocking revelation for a man who had always been healthy. Facing his own mortality, Matthew's perspective on life shifted dramatically. The everyday stresses and concerns of the world faded away, and what truly mattered to him were his family, his faith, and his relationship with God.

In the face of his diagnosis, Matthew saw it as an invitation from God to draw closer to Him and surrender completely. He learned how to suffer well, uniting his pain with that of Christ's and offering it up for others. Matthew's journey taught his loved ones the importance of having a grateful heart regardless of the circumstances.

At the end of his life, Matthew's focus was on his faith, his hope for heaven, and his love for God and his family. He reminded them to keep God at the center of their lives, saying, "I am going to a better place. That is what we have to believe. The best is yet to come for me."

The article emphasizes the inevitability of death, a universal experience that spares no one. It encourages readers to use the season of Lent as a time of preparation for the day when God calls them home. The author reminds us that we don't have to guess how to be ready because God and His Church are there to guide us.

The article draws upon the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the importance of love for God and neighbor. It acknowledges the challenges of prioritizing love in a world that often tempts us with instant gratification and selfish desires. The author encourages readers to examine their hearts and question whether their love is rightly ordered.

The Lenten season is presented as an opportunity to realign our priorities and repent for our sins. The article suggests prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as practical ways to strengthen our relationship with God and others. It urges readers to seek forgiveness, both from others and themselves, to let go of attachments that hinder spiritual growth, and to cultivate a deeper prayer life.

The article concludes with a promise that if one follows these practices during Lent, they will face death with faith, hope, and love. The author assures readers that they will have nothing to fear when their time comes to meet God. They will be filled with the same anticipation that Matthew had, knowing that the best is yet to come.

In a world that often distracts us from the reality of our mortality, this article serves as a sobering reminder to reflect on the brevity of life and the importance of living with purpose and faith. It encourages readers to embrace the Lenten season as a time of preparation and transformation, so that when the time comes, they can face death with hope and assurance.